ISO 14001:2015 - The expanded scope of environmental objectives

The 2004 version of ISO 14001 required the development of environmental objectives and targets, and the establishment of processes to achieve them. ISO 14001:2015 has expanded the scope of environmental objectives but has dropped any reference to targets in favour of “measurable environmental objectives”.

So, what are “measurable environmental objectives”?

Measurable environmental objectives are simply objectives that can be measured. Putting in place environmental targets, i.e. “a level to reach”, is what make objectives measurable. Even though the actual reference to targets has been removed from the current version of ISO 14001, I believe they are still inferred when talking about measurable environmental objectives and therefore I will continue to refer to them in this blog.

If you see the environmental objective as the intended outcome or purpose (e.g. reduce paper usage). Then, the environmental target is a measurable outcome related to achieving that objective (e.g. reduce paper usage to 1 ream of paper per person per quarter averaged over the next 12 months).

Setting environmental objectives for your Environmental Management System

Environmental objectives define major Environmental Management System and performance improvement goals.

To achieve certification, clause 6.2.1 of ISO 14001:2015 requires environmental objectives be established at relevant functions and levels within your organisation. Clause A.6.2 suggests that top management implement environmental objectives at the strategic level (applicable to the whole organisation) and the tactical or operational level (applicable to specific units or functions).

Environmental objectives must also be:

• consistent with the environmental policy and scope statement
• monitored
• communicated to stakeholders
• updated as appropriate.

Considering significant environmental aspects when setting your objectives

An organisation must consider their significant environmental aspects and compliance obligations when they identify and set objectives.

Although ISO 14001:2015 stipulates that considering significant environmental aspects is important, environmental objectives do not need to address every aspect. You are free to select which aspects, and which environmental compliance obligations, to address in your environmental objectives.

Other areas in your Environmental Management System that might be considered when forming your objectives:

• documented risks and opportunities
• needs and expectations of interested parties
• technological options, and financial, operational and business requirements
• resource reduction or cleaner production programs (e.g. for electricity, water, raw materials)
• recycling and reuse programs
• recent incident reports and findings from internal audits
• continual improvement ideas.

Setting environmental targets for your objectives

In achieving certification, ISO 14001:2015 does specify that having environmental objectives that are measurable is only required if practicable. Meaning that while direct measurement through qualitative or quantitative methods is achievable in some instances, it is not possible in other instances. For example, the effectiveness of educating employees on sustainability practices is difficult or impossible to measure.

The best environmental targets are ones that are specific, realistic and set within a time period. For example, a measurable target could be “decrease water consumption quarterly in our offices by 25% within 12 months and sustain this decrease”.

How to make set specific, realistic and time-based targets

Here are some ideas on how to set specific, realistic and time-based targets:

• Make them challenging yet achievable with the resources available.
• Make them based on justifiable expectations.
• Include dates for when each target should be achieved.

You may also want to consider:

• Legislative limits pertinent to the organisation
• Limits given in site environmental licences, permits or agreements
• Any key performance standards the organisation has a commitment to.

Your action plan to achieving your environmental objectives and targets

Clause 6.2.2 of ISO 14001:2015 addresses the planning required to achieve your environmental objectives and targets, which includes:

• what will be done and what resources will be required?
• who will be responsible for the outcome?
• when will it be completed (and I’d add: what are the milestones?)
• how will the results be evaluated, including monitoring of progress?

To answer these it might be helpful to create an action plan addressing the objectives and targets you’re trying to achieve, and form a project team to implement the action plan and communicate its outcomes to relevant stakeholders.

The project team should have a project leader and consist of the employees responsible for achieving the objectives and targets.

When building the action plan, consider the following:

• What is currently constraining or affecting your environmental performance?
• Have performance indicators been defined to monitor your progress?
• What behavioural changes are required for success?
• What resources are required for implementation of the plan?

Top management support is key

Top management support is also crucial in achieving your environmental goals. Top management does not have to develop your objectives and targets, action plans or be on the project team but they must be involved in the prioritisation, scheduling and resourcing.

Measuring and monitoring the progress of your objectives and targets

To track the performance against your environmental objectives and targets, you can implement qualitative or quantitative metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs). For our example of “reducing paper usage”, you need to consider how the paper usage will be measured – perhaps via stock and purchase records.

Usage may be easy to measure but waste can be more difficult. Waste might sometimes be tracked by direct measurement, but more often by difference using a mass-balance approach.

I go into further detail on environmental KPIs in my other blog – Guidance on environmental KPIs.

Documenting your environmental objectives, targets and KPIs

To comply with ISO 14001:2015, you need to maintain documented information of your environmental objectives, targets and KPIs. Best practice is an Environmental Objectives and Targets Register. A sample of the Environmental Objectives and Targets Register we offer in our Environmental Management System documentation package, can be viewed here.

Some ISO 14001:2015 objectives and targets examples

As a requirement of the Standard, your ISO 14001 objectives and targets must align with your environmental policy, as this policy sets the focus of the entire Environmental Management System. Environmental objectives and targets then translate that focus in specific achievable outcomes.